7.  On 18 January 1999 a preliminary investigation was opened against the applicant for robbery. On the same day, the applicant was charged with the offence and remanded in custody upon a decision of an investigator which was confirmed by the public prosecutor's office. It was alleged that the applicant, together with another individual, had robbed an individual of 17,480,000 old Bulgarian levs (BGL; approximately 8,964 euros (EUR)) and in the process had used force and rendered the victim unconscious. In ordering that the applicant be remanded in custody the investigator referred to, inter alia, the personality of the detainee, the gravity of the offence and, in general terms, the likelihood that he might abscond or re-offend.
8.  The applicant filed an application for release on 27 January 1999, which was dismissed by the Pazardzhik District Court on 3 February 1999. The court found, inter alia, that the applicant was charged with a serious intentional offence, which warranted mandatory detention, and that it was likely that he might commit offences against some of the witnesses, thereby obstructing the investigation. In conclusion, no evidence warranting an exception to the requirement of mandatory detention was found to exist.
9.  On 1 March 1999 the applicant filed another application for release arguing, inter alia, that in the course of the preliminary investigation it had been established that the amount which he had allegedly taken from the victim had been only BGL 5,000,000 (approximately EUR 2,564) because the latter had been robbed on more than one occasion on the day in question.
10.  The applicant's application for release was dismissed by the District Court on 15 March 1999, which found, inter alia, that the applicant was charged with a serious intentional offence, which warranted mandatory detention, that he might obstruct the investigation and that due to his lack of income he was likely to re-offend. In conclusion, no evidence warranting an exception to the requirement of mandatory detention was found to exist.
11.  On 29 March 1999 the applicant filed his third application for release claiming, inter alia, that there was no evidence that he would abscond, re-offend or obstruct the investigation, that he suffered from jaundice and that his health was deteriorating as a result of his detention.
12.  The applicant's application for release was dismissed by the District Court on 23 April 1999, which found, inter alia, that the applicant had been charged with a serious intentional offence, which warranted mandatory detention, that he was in good health and that there were indications that he might commit offences against some of the witnesses, thereby obstructing the investigation. In conclusion, no evidence was established to exist warranting an exception to the requirement of mandatory detention.
13.  The applicant contended that the charges against him were amended on 9 June 1999, which the Government did not challenge.
14.  The preliminary investigation against the applicant was partially terminated on 30 June 1999. The only outstanding charge against him concerned common robbery of BGL 17,480,000 (approximately EUR 8,964).
15.  The applicant filed his fourth application for release on 1 July 1999, which was examined by the District Court on 27 July 1999. The court found in favour of the applicant and released him on bail of 200 new Bulgarian levs (approximately EUR 102). It found, inter alia, that the applicant had no criminal record and had good character references, and that the preliminary investigation had already been completed.
16.  The applicant was released on the same day, 27 July 1999.
17.  The preliminary investigation against the applicant was further partially terminated on 8 October 1999 as a result of its findings pertaining to the amount and currency of the stolen money. The only outstanding charge against the applicant concerned common robbery of 5,000 German marks (approximately EUR 2,564).
18.  An indictment against the applicant was filed with the District Court on an undetermined date.
19.  In a judgment of an unspecified date the District Court acquitted the applicant. That judgment was subsequently upheld, also on an unspecified date, by the Pazardzhik Regional Court.
20.  Between 18 January and 1 July 1999 the applicant was detained at the Pazardzhik Regional Investigation Service detention facility. From 1 July to 27 July 1999 he was detained at the Pazardzhik Prison.
21.  The applicant contended, in respect of both detention facilities, that there had been (a) insufficient oxygen in the cells; (b) inadequate hygiene, the use of a bucket for the sanitary needs of the detainees and the presence of parasites (fleas and wood worms), skin infections (scabies) and rodents (mice and rats); (c) insufficient natural light; (d) no special recreational area; (e) unhealthy food; (f) no access to literature, newspapers, magazines, radio or television; (g) no possibility for the applicant to meet with his attorney in private at his initiative; and (h) no possibility to maintain active correspondence.
22.  The applicant's contentions in respect of the conditions of detention at the above facilities are corroborated by the signed declarations of two other detainees, Mr D. Alexov and Mr R. Dobrev.